Padres add several six-year free agents

MadFriars.com

11/04/2006

Keeping it in the family, the San Diego Padres signed Royce Huffman, the brother of 2006 draftee Chad Huffman. The team also added five other six-year free agents.

Royce Huffman, a third baseman originally drafted in the 12th round of the 1999 MLB Draft, spent last year with Triple-A Round Rock of the Pacific Coast League. He hit .299 with 25 doubles, ten homers, 59 RBI's and 62 runs scored over 98 games. He is a career .302 hitter in the minor leagues.

Frank Brooks, a left-handed pitcher originally drafted by the Phillies in 13th round of 1999 draft, has seen action in seven different minor league systems, pitching in 12 major league games with his debut coming in 2004 while he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He split his 2006 season between Double-A Portland of the Eastern League and Triple-A Omaha of the Pacific Coast League. He combined to go 2-8 with a 4.31 ERA in 34 games, including 14 starts.

Adrian Burnside, a left-handed pitcher originally signed as nondrafted free agent by Dodgers, July 12, 1995, has been with five different franchises, ending up in the Tornto Blue Jays organization over the last two years. He went 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA in 33 appearances for Triple-A Syracuse of the International League last season.

Ryan Ketchner, a left-hander originally selected by Mariners in 10th round of 2000 draft, spent last year in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization where he went 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA over three leagues spanning 13 appearances. He missed the 2005 season after elbow surgery.

Brian Myrow began his career in the Independent Leagues before his contract was purchased by the New York Yankees in 2001. He spent last year in the Boston Red Sox organization and the first baseman hit .270 over 20 games for Double-A Portland of the Eastern League. He had been playing in the Korean Professional Baseball League prior to signing with the Sox. Myrow would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 6, 2005, hitting .200 over 19 at bats.

Adam Shabala, an outfielder originally selected by Giants in 10th round of 2000 draft, spent the 2006 season with Triple-A Fresno of the Pacific Coast League where he hit .277 with 20 doubles, five homers, 41 RBI's and 45 runs scored over 94 games.